拢2m sustainable eco-bar and hotel built in Auchinstarry
Scottish people are being encouraged to do their bit for the environment 鈥� by going for a pint.
The Waterside Pub Partnership has invested 拢2m, the largest sum spent on a public house in Scotland, on building the country鈥檚 first 鈥渆co-pub鈥� in Auchinstarry on the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Due to open in two weeks, the Boathouse was constructed using timber harvested from a sustainable source, and includes reed beds for treating waste and a geothermal heating system to draw residual heat from the canal and generate hot water and heating.
The pub will be managed by Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) and will have an adjoining hotel, with 10 bedrooms.
Energy costs are expected to be cut by a quarter as compared with a standard building of the same type, with water use minimised through features such as waterless urinals and low-flush toilets. Energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration have also been included, while sensors automatically switch off lights in unoccupied areas.
鈥淭he Boathouse is the most exciting pub development in Scotland today,鈥� said Ken McGown, operations and sales director for S&NPE. 鈥淚t provides fantastic facilities for the community, is beneficial to the local economy and is sympathetic to the environment 鈥� both aesthetically and from a sustainability viewpoint.鈥�
Stuart Hay, the head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: 鈥淭he leisure and hospitality business consumes a huge amount of energy and any attempts to reduce energy are warmly welcomed. I hope it sets a precedent for Scotland.鈥�
